Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1883 — The Stranger in the Pulpit. [ARTICLE]

The Stranger in the Pulpit.

bishop Simpson made his first appearance; in Lancaster, Pa., one Sunday morning very unexpected to hhnself and the “people called Methodists” of that, city. His home was in Pittsburgh. He was traveling oyer the Pennsylvania railroad to Philadelphia, and a breakdown detained him over Sunday in Lancaster. »After breakfast he sauntered* out to find a Methodist church, and, walking up Duke street, he met a good Ilothodist, the late Mr. Carpenter McCleery/wlio engaged the Bisliep in conversation. Dr.. Simpson was plainly dressed, anil looking anything else than a bishop is colrimonly supposed to look. Brother McGlCery judged f«om his conversation that he was a loyal preacher, and the good bishop did not enlighten him. to tlip contrary. The preacher in charge of the Duke Street Methodist Episcopal^church finally arrived, and the bishop was introduced to him as “Brother Simpson, $ local preacher of the Pittsburgh conference.” After considerable persuasion, the bishop was prevailed upon to preach. What disappointment was visible npon the faces of that congregation that morning. They expected to be bored by a “coiita-clod-hopper.” The bishop gave out the opening hymn and then prayed. Those who thought they were going to be .bored began to think differently, and whten ’tbe bishop announced his text; “The greatest of all is charity,” expectation was on tip-toe. A grander, mpre qloqnent, more feeling discourse was never delivered in that church. _ As the bishop was elaborating his points and carrying his congregation to the highest pitch by the magnificent roundings bf his sentences, the thought occurred to the preacher sitting in the pulpit that this must be Bishop Simpson, and, upon concluding the sermon, the preacher asked him: “Are yon not Bishop Simpson?” The bishop’s modest and naive reply' was: “They call me so at home.” The preacher immediately turned, faced the congregation and said: “You have hod the extreme pleasure of listening to Bishop Simpson.—Harrisbury Patriot. .